Another major sleeper of the vintage this consistently well-made wine (another consulting job by Stephane Derenoncourt) has hit pay dirt. It came in at 14% natural alcohol with a final blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vivid explosive black cherry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some subtle charcoal as well as loamy soil and tobacco leaf notes are all present in the complex aromatics. Full-bodied fleshy without a hard edge to be found this velvety-textured wine is ideal for drinking over the next 2-4 years. Who said Bordeaux doesn't produce terrific wines at low price points?